AstraZeneca Teams Up with PGA Golf Champion Jason Day to Raise Awareness about the Importance of Biomarker Testing in Lung Cancer
Business Wire 8-May-2019 7:00 AM
Test It Back campaign encourages patients newly diagnosed with
non-small cell lung cancer to ensure they receive a full diagnosis and
the treatment that is right for them
AstraZeneca is teaming up with PGA golf champion Jason Day to encourage
newly diagnosed Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients to ask
their doctor about biomarker testing (sometimes referred to as molecular
testing or mutation testing), which can help patients and their
physician find the treatment options that are right for them.
AstraZeneca is partnering with the world-renowned golf pro to launch the Test
It Back campaign, focused on ensuring complete biomarker testing
becomes standard of care at every late-stage lung cancer diagnosis. The Test
It Back site includes a series of inspiring videos featuring Day and
his mother, Dening, whose decision to get mutation testing of her Stage
IV non-small cell lung cancer last year informed her treatment decisions.
Not all lung cancers are the same, and biomarker testing can help
determine which treatment options are right for specific types of lung
cancer. AstraZeneca and Jason Day are asking people to visit TestItBack.com
to learn more about the importance of biomarker testing as part of a
complete lung cancer diagnosis. Doctors often test for biomarkers with a
biopsy, using tissue removed from a tumor or a patient's blood sample.
Jason Day said: "My mother has always been the rock of our family and
she's the reason I'm the player I am today. Her lung cancer diagnosis
was devastating, because you never think it will happen to you or your
family. I wanted her to have the best possible care, and biomarker
testing helped us understand our treatment options. For anyone who is
facing a lung cancer diagnosis, I would encourage you to talk to your
doctor about biomarker testing. The test results can take some time but
having them really gives you a full picture of what you're dealing with."
After testing her lung cancer for mutations, Dening Day learned that her
cancer had a mutation, which meant she was a candidate for a targeted
oral therapy that may help stop the cancer from growing and spreading.
To learn more about biomarker testing and how it helps patients
understand more about their type of lung cancer, please visit TestItBack.com.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and
women, accounting for about one-quarter of all cancer deaths in the US,
more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined.
About AstraZeneca in Lung Cancer
AstraZeneca is committed to developing medicines to help every patient
with lung cancer. We have three approved medicines and a growing
pipeline that targets genetic changes in tumor cells and boosts the
power of the immune response against cancer. Our unrelenting pursuit of
science aims to deliver more breakthrough therapies with the goal of
extending and improving the lives of patients across all stages of
disease and lines of therapy.
About AstraZeneca in Oncology
AstraZeneca has a deep-rooted heritage in Oncology and offers a quickly
growing portfolio of new medicines that has the potential to transform
patients' lives and the Company's future. With at least six new
medicines to be launched between 2014 and 2020, and a broad pipeline of
small molecules and biologics in development, we are committed to
advance Oncology as a key growth platform for AstraZeneca focused on
lung, ovarian, breast and blood cancers. In addition to our core
capabilities, we actively pursue innovative partnerships and investments
that accelerate the delivery of our strategy, as illustrated by our
investment in Acerta Pharma in hematology.
By harnessing the power of four scientific platforms – Immuno-Oncology,
Tumor Drivers and Resistance, DNA Damage Response and Antibody Drug
Conjugates – and by championing the development of personalized
combinations, AstraZeneca has the vision to redefine cancer treatment
and one day eliminate cancer as a cause of death.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that
focuses on the discovery, development and commercialization of
prescription medicines, primarily for the treatment of diseases in three
therapy areas - Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism and
Respiratory. AstraZeneca operates in over 100 countries and its
innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. For
more information, please visit www.astrazeneca-us.com
and follow us on Twitter @AstraZenecaUS.
US-28408 Last Updated 5/19
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